••• Bistro Amasa, from Hearth Hospitality Group and Julian Martinez and Jesse Gaddy of Barbareño, opens for dinner November 14 in the former Louie’s California Bistro space at The Upham Hotel (De La Vina/Sola). Here are the menu and some photos by Erin Feinblatt to whet our appetites. I’d order the Apple Something Something dessert just for the pleasure of saying it.
••• Manifattura, the new restaurant from the Aperitivo guys, is now taking reservations online. Good luck getting one, though. (Space does get saved for walk-ins.)
••• From the Independent: “In addition to the updated menu at [Corazón] Comedor being less expensive than the previous offerings, there is also a more casual counter ordering service style with lotería cards as the numbers, and a self-serve salsa bar. They still have nice tableware and real silverware, but the vibe is a bit more cozy-casual now.” I had lunch there the other day, and yes, the vibe is more casual, but the food was still very good. I’m not a huge fan of salsa bars, but así es la vida.
••• Sandbar is closed for remodeling till at least mid-March.
••• Anchor Rose at the harbor appears to be closing in late December. —Restaurant Guy
••• The owners of the former Mackenzie Market building in San Roque confirmed that it will indeed be an outpost of Brass Bird Coffee (and not a branch of Teddy’s by the Sea, as first planned). “The space will reflect the same clean, inviting aesthetic and focus on quality that define our Carpinteria café, with an expanded menu that includes additional breakfast and lunch offerings made from fresh, seasonal ingredients. We’re currently targeting an opening in February, though that timeline may shift slightly as the buildout continues.”
••• Dang Burger and Dom’s Taverna are partnering on a TV dinner–themed night on December 1 (and again on January 26). There will be seatings at 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., each with a movie screening, and the menu is straight-up nostalgia, with fish fingers, Salisbury steak, and more. (They’re marketing the event as 90s-themed, but I can assure you that those dishes were around in the 1970s, and likely earlier.) Tickets are $69, including a welcome drink, and excluding including tax and tip.
••• According to the Architectural Board of Review’s November 10 agenda, SB Biergarten intends to convert parking spaces to a “1,094-square-foot raised outdoor dining deck.”
••• Pearl Social isn’t the only place to find Miracle: the Christmas-themed cocktail pop-up will also be at Craft House by Corque in Solvang from November 17 through January 3. Reserve here.
••• Nantucket wine bar Ethos is in residence at Tyler x Lieu Dit through November 22, serving lunch and dinner Wednesday through Saturday and just lunch on Sunday. That makes two appealing menus in one post.
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Thank you Erik for delivering such great news about the old Mackenzie Market location opening up as a brass bird coffee. I have lots of questions, so I will call them directly.
I visited their carpinteria location after a good friend recommended it and I must say that we were very surprised with the quality of their snd service. We stood in line for a good 7-8 minutes but once we ordered our food came out to our table in about 10 minutes very impressed considering how busy they were.
My wife also said it was the best avocado toast she has ever tasted. My cappuccino was very well prepared.
We are excited to have a brass bird closer to home.
Since I am undoubtedly older than Erik (!), I can confirm – those TV dinner items mentioned above were definitely around in the 60s. I bet my least favorite television personality – Tucker Carlson – can confirm too, since he is an heir to the Swanson fortune (blecch) —
Libbyland were my fav TV dinners- EVERY OTHER FRIDAY!
Sounds like the couple that are opening at the old Mackenzie Market location have lots of experience. I can’t wait to see it when they open.
We were hoping that the Mackenzie market was going to be a second Teddys by the sea as first reported. I wonder why the owners changed their minds. Teddys is the reason why I go to carpinteria. I am very disappointed.
I heard from a reliable source that Anchor Rose is not closing, but a disgruntled employee has spread these rumors.
A casual cafe is going to be a great fit for Upper State/San Roque! Looking forward to checking out Brass Bird!
My husband and I were big fans of Corazón Comedor prior to them changing the menu. We ate there on a regular basis, always looking forward to their fabulous food, especially their tamales! Their menu was unique with high quality entrees compared to other Mexican restaurants in town. Unfortunately, the last time we stopped in and saw everything had changed we didn’t stay. We saw the menu is now mostly tacos offered and we can get tacos anywhere. they always were busy, not sure why they changed. We would surely return if the original came back.
I don’t know why either. But consider this, a few weeks ago I got a super burrito from a small Mexican place on E. Haley. A burrito de pollo, with guac & sour cream. $17 dollars. . .. Seriously, one of the hole in the wall types on Haley street is charging that much.! Maybe it’s too expensive to create those other items you guys like.
NH, we went to Comedor last night and after we sat down and they showed us the new menu and told us we had to go up to the counter to order, we walked out. No more Enchiladas Suizas and other great meals. So sad, I hope someone tells them to go back to where they started!
Any recent information concerning the restaurant that is to occupy the former Via Vai space in the Upper Village?
Same question 🙋🏻♀️
Nope. When I have news, I run it.
Dissapointed that they are not bring Teddy’s to State Street as a San Roque resident we have plenty of upscale coffee places in the neighborhood, and need more causal eatery places instead.
We were really looking forward to “Teddy’s on State” and sorely disappointed that it will be another cafe. I’m sure it will be tasty and welcome, but San Roque already has so many cafes and sandwich spots.
Sounds like some people on here haven’t been to the brass bird in carpinteria. It’s probably one of the top 3 coffee houses/cafes I have ever been to.
Also If they are planning on expanding their menu. All I am going to say is wow!!! Can’t wait and I will be there on opening day I guarantee it.